The 16-year-old prime suspect in the murder of 10-year-old Anthony Cort of Sophia, Greater Georgetown has been arrested and will make his court appearance today.
According to the Police, the teen suspect was arrested based on intelligence received. However, the 72-hour detention period to hold the suspect had expired, but based on evidence and information at their disposal, investigators approached the High Court for an extension. This was granted by a Judge at the High Court on Monday.
Cort was killed during the execution of a robbery by armed bandits which occurred at ‘C’ Field, Sophia on March 11. Reports are that the child and his mother were assisting his aunt to prepare for her birthday party two houses away from their residence when two males wearing face masks and armed with handguns invaded the property of the 44-year-old businesswoman.
Police have said the 10-year-old Cort was in the upper flat of the home in the company of a cousin, playing video games. The bandits reportedly rushed into the home, held the occupants at gunpoint, and relieved them of two cell phones, two gold bands, two gold rings, one gold chain, and $80,000 in cash.
According to Police, the bandits then ordered the victims into the upper flat of the house. As they made their way into the upper flat, the now dead lad exited a bedroom and one of the bandits discharged a round which hit the child in his left upper shoulder.
The perpetrators panicked, jumped a zinc fence and fled the scene. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) subsequently responded to reports of the tragedy, and pronounced the child dead at the scene. Police recovered a 9mm spent shell near the child’s body.
Two days after the devastating event, President Irfaan Ali visited and consoled the grieving family at their home. During his visit, the Head of State promised to do everything in his power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Head of State was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who also expressed his sympathies and promised justice to the mourning family.
In addition, several Government Ministers and Opposition Members of Parliament also visited the devastated family.
